People often ask me this question, and since it’s a great one and I love discussing it, I decided to write a blog post all about it.
Let me give you a little background on my hair journey. As you may have noticed, I have a lot of hair now, but it wasn’t always this way. You might have heard me share my “hair story” at a seminar or read about it in my book, Joyous Health.
Here’s a brief overview: In my early twenties, my hair was dry and thin due to nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalances. I actually had about half the hair I have now! Most people didn’t notice it since it wasn’t falling out in patches, but I had to use plenty of products to make it appear fuller. I also dyed my hair different colors often.
Trying to emulate Jennifer Lopez’s famous caramel highlights from the ’90s, I asked my stylist to recreate the look. Unfortunately, my hair ended up bleached and turned green! After trying unsuccessfully to fix the color, we decided the best move was to dye it black to cover up the mess. It was quite a nightmare.
Fast forward to today: I haven’t dyed my hair in over 15 years, despite the gradual appearance of grays. I see them as a natural sign of having given birth to a beautiful child, which used up many of my minerals—hence, the grays showing up after Vienna was born!
Back in the days when my hair was thin and lackluster, it affected my self-esteem, although I wasn’t very confident to begin with. Things changed when I improved my diet and lifestyle; my hair became thick, shiny, and my scalp stopped being dry.
In my mid-twenties, I began experimenting with washing my hair less frequently. I suspected that frequent washing made it greasier, and my theory proved correct! Washing your hair often can stimulate your scalp to produce more oil, which means when you wash less, it becomes less greasy. Surprisingly, your hair is at its shiniest when it’s a little dirty! That’s because the natural oils, produced by sebaceous glands under the skin, lubricate and give your hair a natural shine.
These oils are a combination of triglycerides, cholesterol, squalene, wax esters, and keratin. This is why a diet rich in healthy fats, like omega-3 fatty acids, can significantly impact your hair’s shine. On the contrary, consuming too many refined carbs and sugars can lead to overproduction of triglycerides, making your hair greasy.
Having a dry, flaky scalp and dull hair is often a sign of a poor diet, especially disordered eating, as these essential sebum oils provide a waterproof and protective barrier. Without them, hair can become brittle and break easily.
Healthy fats are crucial—they ensure the production of quality oils to moisturize skin and hair. If your diet includes too many refined carbs or bad fats, your hair might end up greasy due to overproduction of sebum.
Here’s a hair detox plan for those who wash their hair daily:
**Week One:**
– Day 1: Wash hair. Limit hair care products.
– Day 2: Use dry shampoo if needed.
– Day 3: Repeat washing. Limit products.
– Day 4: Use dry shampoo if needed.
– Day 5: Wash hair. Limit products.
– Day 6: Use dry shampoo if needed.
– Day 7: Wash hair twice. Limit products.
**Week Two:**
– Day 1: Use dry shampoo as needed.
– Day 2: Dry shampoo if needed.
– Day 3: Double wash for cleanliness.
– Day 4: Dry shampoo if needed.
– Day 5: Dry shampoo if needed.
– Day 6: Double wash.
– Day 7: Dry shampoo if needed.
**Week Three:**
– Day 1: Dry shampoo as needed.
– Day 2: Dry shampoo as needed.
– Day 3: Double wash.
– Day 4: Dry shampoo as needed.
– Day 5: Dry shampoo as needed.
– Day 6: Dry shampoo as needed.
– Day 7: Double wash.
You may need several weeks or months to adjust to washing less frequently. I typically wash my hair once or twice a week—about every five days. In summer, it gets greasier faster, but I use more dry shampoo and tie my hair up in a bun to manage it. Honestly, my hair is usually in a bun 90% of the time because it’s easier!
If you’re worried about sweaty hair from the gym, my DIY Dry Shampoo can be a lifesaver! While washing is sometimes necessary, stretching the time between washes helps keep your hair shiny and healthy.
Here are some responses to questions and tips from readers:
1. **Hair brushing:** Brush your hair at least twice a day to distribute natural oils.
2. **Dry shampoo dullness:** Brush it out thoroughly with a thick bristle brush once applied.
3. **Styling:** Consider using coconut oil or minimal products for styling. Watch my video for more tips!
4. **Greasy days solutions:** Try braids, ponytails, or hair twists for variety in styling.
5. **Dealing with frizziness:** Use coconut oil and a big round brush with a hairdryer.
I hope these tips help! Keep me updated on your haircare journey in the comments.
